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  1. I must admit that I have an unreasonable fear of bats. One got stuck in our apartment when I was a kid and then got into my other’s hair. Freaked me out! But the bat emergence at Old Tunnel State Park might have the bats at enough of a distance to keep me calm. Good to know there are different viewing areas to choose from. And that the different options vary over the year. Interesting that you were close enough to hear the tiny wings flapping.

    1. I understand that, Linda. Several of my friends are afraid of bat, too. So we didn’t go here when we were in Fredericksburg with them. That’s what I like about this park because visitors have a choice of different viewing areas to choose from.

  2. You guys always visit the coolest places. All your TX posts make me want to visit. I’ve never had much interest in visiting TX because of the strong republican governance and “big oil” influence. But reading your posts as a local , is convincing me to visit anyways haha

    1. What’s wrong with republican governance and big oil influence? It will be hard to go overseas or other states with riding a horse. Hehe..

  3. Nature tours are fun but this definitely is unique. I have spotted bats here and there but dint know there could be a tour and way of viewing so many emerge at one time. I also did not know about Mexican free-tailed bats.
    This was very interesting to learn about them, know about upper and lower viewing areas and see them emerge from the abandoned railroad tunnel.

  4. This sort of reminds me of the bat emergence in Austin! Only a little more off the beaten path. Such a neat thing to witness for sure!

    1. Yes, but I haven’t got to see the one in Austin. Traffic in Austin made me think more than twice to see it. But one day I will go see it.

  5. Oh my God! This is one of the most unique wildlife watch I have ever seen or heard of! 3 Million bats in one place, and those pictures does make me want to visit this place!

  6. I add Old Tunnel State Park to my bucket list! Fantastic there are so many bats in the area. I would love to spot them. I’m impressed that it is home to up to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats. I add it to my Texas road trip itinerary.

  7. This is so interesting, and I would love to see it! I used to work for our local parks & rec department, and I taught about how GOOD bats are for the environment, and I hate the stigma that so many people are afraid of them.

  8. Quite a unique experience indeed! I have not heard of this before. It must have been a cool experience to see them rise like a tornado. The educational program while waiting sounds like a good idea. 🙂

  9. Wow watching so many bats at the same time, not sure how I will react to that even though I do like bats. It would surely be a very different experience for me. I will definitely visit Old Tunnel State Park around the bat emergence season and watch them at least once for sure. I am glad I came across this post as I did not know there was something like watching bats emerge at nights.

  10. I would never, ever do this. I have developed a recent fear (and anxiety) of bats when two summers ago, one was stuck in our house. It kept me up all night as it swooped overhead. Such a traumatic experience. Before then I used to be fascinating at seeing them at dusk. Not anymore.

  11. Happy to know that they have an educational program about bat emergence. It makes a trip more memorable and worth while. Thank you for the tips and heads up. Will keep this in mind should we have a chance to visit.

    1. That’s what I like about this place rather than just watched it without any knowledge about the emerge.

  12. Oh..this would be interesting to watch. I’ve never seen that many bats at one go. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure if I’ve seen any bat in real life. But this will be something I have to do on my own. My partner is terrified of them!

  13. Wow! This seems like an amazing experience to see the bats emerging. I can only imagine the flight of bats colouring the sky black! I am fascinated to know the sheer amount of moths devoured by the colony at Old Tunnel Park! I am just trying to imagine the number of bats that might be there. I am sure this is a great experience, even if it cannot be captured by lens.

  14. Bats are such interesting creatures. There’s another bat house on the campus at the University of Florida and I used to go watch them emerge at dusk all the time. No one warns you about the horrible smell, but the experience is always breathtaking!

    1. That’s cool! We always wanted to watch the one in Austin, but the crowds and traffic in Austin made us postponed it.

  15. Watching the bats emerge would be an unreal experience. I’ve seen them fly over the city at dusk, but it’s not the same as seeing them create a tornado as they climb higher. Cupping your ears to hear the tiny wings flapping is a good tip.

    1. It was really a cool experience for all of us! I want to go back and see it from the upper viewing area. I think the experience will be different.

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